Letter Z-The end!!

A to Z Challenge

.....Maureen O'Hara starred with James Stewart (Rare Breed) and Jimmy Stewart starred in...

1.  ZIEGFELD GIRL-1941-MUSICAL DRAMA

DIRECTOR: Robert Z. Leonard
STARS: Judy garland, Hedy Lamarr, Lana Turner, James Stewart, Tony Martin, Jackie Cooper
PLOT: 3 gals from different walks of life become Ziegfeld gals and each find a different path in life.
QUOTE: Mr. Ziegfeld says, if I don't watch my figure, no one else will (This still happens!)
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The costumes!
FAVOURITE SCENE: The Stepped Out of a Dream number
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Susan Gallagher (Judy Garland)
TIDBITS: The most professional was James Stewart. Hedy was very shy and didn't talk to many people. Lana Turner liked to show off her new boyfriend and get attention and poor Judy garland was so insecure of her looks since she was surrounded by Lana & Hedy who were considered beautiful. Judy had the most talent and was still quite the looker herself. James Stewart and Jackie Cooper would sit outside the stage and listen to Judy sing. This was James Stewart's last role before he went to war.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION:Hedy Lamarr starred with Gregory Peck( Samson & Delilah) and Gregory Peck starred with Juliette Lewis (Cape Fear). Juliette Lewis starred with Woody Harrelson (Natural Born Killers) and Harrelson starred in....


2. ZOMBIELAND-2009-HORROR COMEDY

DIRECTOR:Ruben Fleischer
STARS: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Bill Murray
PLOT: Zombies have gone amok and 4 survivors, who are great at killing zombies each want to get to their goal-hometown, an amusement park and eat a twinkie
QUOTE: The first rule of zombieland: Cario. When a zombie outbreak first hit, the first to go, for obvious reasons,....were the fatties.
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The humour-I would never watch a zombie show unless it was made fun of
FAVOURITE SCENE: When they meet Bill Murray
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Bill Murray (Bill Murray-he plays himself)
TIDBITS: Abigail Breslin adopted a dog from a shelter and we see the dog in this film-he's a cutie. Bill Murray ad-libbed a lot and the scene in the truck when mentioning Miley Cyrus, is all ad-libbed.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Woody Harrelson starred with Robert Redford(Indecent Proposal) and Robert Redford starred with Charles Boyer (Barefoot In the Park). Charles Boyer starred with Olivia De Havilland (Hold Back the Dawn) and De Havilland starred with Bette Davis (Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte) and Bette Davis was the star of my A post-All About Eve!

I linked them all:) Happy ending to another A to Z...now I have to play catch up and my apologies to all I have not yet visited!

Letter Y

A to Z Challenge


.....Audrey Hepburn starred with Fred Astaire (Funny Face) and Fred Astaire starred in...

1. YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER-1941-MUSICAL

DIRECTOR: William Seiter
STARS: Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Adolph Menjou
PLOT: ok..plot...her father has the dumb ass tradition that the girl must marry in the order of their birth. The eldest gets married so now the 2nd must marry before her younger sisters. Her dad decides to create a secret admirer by sending flowers etc... Unsuspecting American dancer drops on in and she believes he is the admirer much to her dad's chagrin
QUOTE: I wish you wouldn't speak while I'm interrupting-sounds like my hubby:)
OSCAR NOMS: Best Sound, Best Song, "Dearly Beloved" (Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer), Best Score
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The dancing of course!
FAVOURITE SCENE:This dance to So Near yet So Far
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Maria Acuna (Rita Hayworth)
TIDBITS: Fidel Castro was an extra in this film! Fred Astaire did mention that Rita Hayworth was his favourite dancing partner. Rita Hayworth said that this film and the other she did with Astaire (You'll never get Rich) were the only 2 films she could watch and which she valued. Astaire and Hayworth did all their practicing over a funeral parlour and had to keep quiet when there was a funeral taking place.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Fred Astaire starred with Gregory Peck (On The Beach) who was directed by Alfred Hitchcock (Spellbound). Alfred Hitchcock directed Sean Connery (Marni) and Sean Connery starred with Gene Hackman (A Bridge Too Far). Gene Hackman starred in...



2. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN-1975-COMEDY

DIRECTOR: Mel Brooks
STARS: Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, Terri Garr, Cloris leachman, Peter Boyle, Gene Hackman
PLOT: The long lost grandson of Frankenstein (pronounced Frankensteen) inherits the estate and he travels there, meets up with Igor(pronounced I-Gore) and with a lovely assistant proceed to create a human being using the brain of Abbey Normal.
QUOTE:
OSCAR NOMS: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The comedic genius of the script and the actors
FAVOURITE SCENE: When the monster meets the blind man. It's so hard to pick 1 scene!
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Igor(Marty Feldman)
TIDBITS: Mel brooks used the actual sets from the original 1931 Frankenstein. Aerosmith went to see this film and were inspired by the scene where Marty Feldman says to Gene Wilder, "Walk this way" to write their famous song "Walk This Way".
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Gene Wilder starred with Warren Beatty (Bonnie & Clyde) who starred with Natalie Wood(Splendor in the Grass). Natalie Wood starred with Maureen O'Hara (Miracle on 34th St) and Maureen O'Hara starred with....Until tomorrow-the last day!

Letter X

A to Z Challenge

...Eddie Albert starred with Ray Milland (Escape to Witch Mountain) who starred in..

1. X-THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES-1962-HORROR

DIRECTOR: Roger Corman
STARS: Ray Milland
PLOT: A brilliant doctor has created X-eye drops to enhance vision and have x-ray vision. he takes the medicine himself and soon can see through walls, bodies etc.. he causes much mahem
QUOTE: Asked by the main character what Crane would like to see, Crane says...All the undressed women my poor eyes can stand.
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The unique plot even though it is on a shoestring budget
FAVOURITE SCENE: The house party scene-love the dancing
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Crane (Don Rickles)
TIDBITS: Nighthawk, a comic book character, was drawn to look like Ray Milland and this super hero has eye powers as well
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Ray Milland starred with Marlene Dietrich (Golden Earrings) and she starred with Ronald Colman (Kismet). Ronald Colman starred with Jane Wyatt (Lost Horizon) and she starred William Shatner (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home). William Shatner starred with Patrick Stewart (Star Trek(Generations). Patrick Stewart starred in...


2.X-MEN-2000-SCI-FI ACTION

DIRECTOR:Bryan Singer
STARS: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Rebecca Ramijn-Stamos,
PLOT: Mutants are not highly regarded by humans (they freak out) so they try to remain under cover. The mutants can either be trained under the peaceful guidance of Charles Xavier or turn to the dark side and demand respect from the vial humans by Magneto
QUOTE: To the senator, Mystique says...You know, people like you are the reason I was afraid to go to school as a child.
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The special effects! Wish I had one of those super powers
FAVOURITE SCENE: The chess game between the 2 former friends now foes.
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Mystique (Rebecca Romijn)-I mean Jeez!
TIDBITS: Due to the blue make-up and prosthesis, Rebecca Romijn had to be kept isolated so on her last day of shooting, she brought in a bottle of tequila where everyone partook. After the break, she had to film her fight scene with Hugh Jackman(Wolverine) and threw up blue barf all over him. You wonder about how safe that blue gunk she wore was.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Ian McLellen starred with Robert Downey Jnr (Restoration) and Downey starred with Robert Duvall (The Judge). Robert Duvall starred with Gregory Peck (To Kill A Mockingbird) who starred with Audrey Hepburn (Roman Holiday). Audrey Hepburn starred with....why, oh why do I not name the next star??? Wait until Y :)

Thursday Movie Picks-Affairs

I am so glad to have still continued this while doing the A to Z Challenge, which is almost done. If you wish to check out my X post just go to the next page:) This week it is all about affairs. I think so many films are about this topic because it can be so lusty. Of course I went old films with my bonus being much newer so, yes, I have 4 films to showcase this week. If you wish to see what everyone else chose, head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves. Here are my picks...

1. SUNRISE-1927

This is a late, great silent film that I consider one of the best films I have ever seen especially dealing with marriage. It is all about a young married couple who live in the country...the main a hole, sorry, man, is married to a virtuous sweet wife. He meets a dark-haired and very desirable woman from the city and starts a torrid affair with her. She must be good you know where because he agrees to off his sweet wife. I won't say much more but I can say the cinematography is brilliant! When the man is walking from the slut to his wife ready to commit murder surrounded by mist and marsh, it feels almost like a horror film. The great F.W. Murnau knew how to direct and create a true gothic feel even in modern times (He direct the equally brilliant Nosferatu). I also loved that Murnau used children in the city scenes for the distant shots (You have to see the film). Aside from blah blah bad blonde wig and the hoochy dance jiggle that blah does to entice George O'Brien, this is a must see in my eyes.

2. DODSWORTH-1936

Another great film and not as well known but so well acted and constructed that one should see this film when you get the chance. Walter Huston plays a very rich man who takes his shrewish bitch wife to Europe. He meets the demure Mary Astor(hahahaa-in real life her diary was torrid and being read through the courts for child custody which she lost-poor thing and I do mean that-who wants their dirty laundry aired) on the ship and they hit it off but nothing more happens. Once in Europe, his shrewish wife begins having affairs and doesn't want to leave. He does but somehow manages to meet up with the lovely Mary Astor again. This is not only about affairs but a state on marriage and how people can outgrow their relationship. It is intelligently written, modern in feel and very well acted.

3. BRIEF ENCOUNTER-1945

I actually hope I see this film more than once today because it is superb! Set during war time, a woman takes the train on a regular basis and feels a little lost in her life. She happens to get a speck of dirt in her eye and a man helps her get rid of that speck. They, of course, create a spark, and soon she is hopeful in seeing this man again and again on the train but her guilt is becoming worse and worse. Her husband is not evil but genuinely sweet so she feels even worse. This is a quiet reflection on how affairs can start even when one is not looking for it and when that person is not a bad person but just lost. This was Gene Kelly's favourite film and it's one of mine.

Bonus...

4. UNFAITHFUL-2002

Talk about lust...you can see from this poster! She is happily married, everything seems aok but, when in town, a horrible wind storm blows her stuff out of her hands and a young man helps her out...in more ways than one. I am getting hot and bothered right now! Oh wait...that's menopause..ok back to the film. She knows it is wrong but her desire to be with this man is all encompassing and the weight of this deception does not go unnoticed by her husband. It is brilliantly acted and the ending makes you think.

What films dealing with affairs can you think of??

Letter W

the A To Z Challenge

...Horst Bucholtz starred with James Cagney (One, Two, Three...) and James Cagney starred in

1. WHITE HEAT-1949-CRIME THRILLER

DIRECTOR: Raoul Walsh
STARS: James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond O'Brien, Margaret Wycherly, Steve Cochran
PLOT: Cop goes undercover to infiltrate a gang run by a psycho crazy nutbar mommy's boy.
QUOTE: Made it Ma. Top of the world!
OSCAR NOMS: Best Writing
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The stellar acting!
FAVOURITE SCENE: When Cody, who is in prison, hears what happened to his beloved Ma.
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Cody Jarrett (James Cagney)
TIDBITS: Squibs (they are the tiny explosives to simulate bullets hitting something) were not invented yet so marksmen were used (Crazy eh?). One bullet missed Cagney by mere inches!
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: James Cagney starred with Bob Hope(The Seven Little Foys). Bob Hope starred with Katherine Hepburn( Iron Petticoat) who starred with Anthony Hopkins (Lion In Winter) who starred with Cuba Gooding Jnr (Instinct). Cuba Gooding starred in...

2. WHAT DREAMS MAY COME-1998-FANTASY DRAMA

DIRECTOR: Vincent Ward
STARS: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jnr, Max Von Sydow, Annabella Sciorra
PLOT: A married doctor, who lost 2 children in a car accident, also dies in a car accident and ends up in heaven. He was the main support for his wife and now he must travel through Heaven and Hell to save her.
QUOTE: What some folks call impossible, is just stuff they haven't seen before.
OSCAR NOMS: Best Art Direction
OSCAR WINS: Best Visual Effects
LOVE: The Art Direction. The painting of this film is masterful
FAVOURITE SCENE: When Chris Nielsen arrives in heaven _I hope this is how Robin Williams sees it.
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams)
TIDBITS: in 2008, there was a fire at Universal studios back lot which destroyed the original print of this film. They found another in Europe (as per norm)
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Robin Williams starred with Sally Field (Mrs. Doubtfire) and she starred with Burt Reynolds (Smokey and the Bandit). Burt Reynolds starred with Eddie Albert (The Longest Yard) and Eddie Albert Starred with.....oh..the dreaded X is next:)

Letter V

A to Z Challenge

...Alfred Hitchcock directed James Stewart in..

1. VERTIGO-1958-SUSPENSE THRILLER

DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
STARS: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
PLOT: An acrophobic detective is hired to watch his friend's wife. He slowly falls in love with her and becomes obsessed to have her just as she is obsessed with the notion that she is the reincarnation of a long dead woman.
QUOTE: One final thing I have to do.....and then I'll be free of the past.
OSCAR NOMS: Best Art Direction (B & W), Best Sound
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The directing-it is Hitch after all and the use of colour to enhance a scene
FAVOURITE SCENE: When Scottie sees the transformation of Judy into Madeleine
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart)
TIDBITS: The film did poorly when it came out and Hitchcock blamed Stewart because he was too old. This film is now considered one of the best films ever made and is usually in the top 5. Hitchcock removed this film from circulation for 30 years along with 4 others (Rope, Rear Window, The Trouble With Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much-56 version) as a legacy for his daughter. All of these films except the Trouble With Harry starred James Stewart.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Alfred Hitchcock directed Paul Newman (Torn Curtain). Paul Newman starred with Tom Cruise(The Color of Money) and Tom Cruise starred in....

2. VALKYRIE-2008-WAR SUSPENSE

DIRECTOR: Bryan Singer
STARS: Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Kenneth Branagh, Terrence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann
PLOT: The true story of Col. Claus Von Steuffenberg's attempt, with many others, to assassinate Hitler and overthrow the government to take control of the country.
QUOTE: we have to show the world that not all of us are like him. Otherwise, this will always be Hitler's Germany.
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: the acting-intense. The truth that this really did happen.
FAVOURITE SCENE: When Von Steuffenberg and his aide are setting up the bomb.
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Von Steuffenberg(Tom Cruise)
TIDBITS: Germany, very fearful of cult religions (understandably) were hesitant in letting Tom Cruise stay and work in Germany since he is an avid nut for the freakish "religion" called Scientology. Due to the wrong treatment during the film development, some scenes were ruined so they had to be reshot after the film was technically done.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Tom Cruise starred with Paul Newman (The Color of Money) who starred with Steve McQueen (Towering Inferno). McQueen starred with Horst Bucholtz (Magnificent 7) and Horst starred with.... who could that be??

Letter U

A Yo Z Challenge

....John Wayne starred with Ray Milland (Reap The Wild Wind). Ray Milland starred in

1. THE UNINVITED-1944- GOTHIC HORROR ROMANCE

DIRECTOR: Lewis Allen
STARS: Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Gail Russell, Donald Cook, Cornelia Otis Skinner
PLOT: A brother and sister buy a moody home right on the cliffs of the Cornwall coast. The former owner's granddaughter doesn't want the house sold and feels drawn to it. The brother and sister get mixed up with the house's ghostly past.
QUOTE: Well, now we know......the one ugly room in the house (I don't think so)
OSCAR NOMS: Best Cinematography (B & W)
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The cinematography-The lighting is excellent
FAVOURITE SCENE: When they hear the crying
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Mrs. Holloway (Cornelia Otis Skinner)
TIDBITS: The first film to deal with spirits in a dramatic way instead of comedic or horrifying manner. The music "Stella by Starlight" comes from this film.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Ray Milland was directed by Alfred Hitchcock (Dial M For Murder) and Hitchcock directed Cary Grant (Notorious). Cary Grant starred with Tony Curtis (Operation Petticoat) who starred with Sydney Poitier (Defiant Ones) and Sydney Poitier starred with Richard Gere (The Jackal). Richard Gere starred with Diane Lane (Unfaithful) and Diane Lane starred in..

2. UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN-2009-ROMANTIC COMEDY/DRAMA

DIRECTOR: Audrey Wells
STARS: Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Lindsey Duncan, Vincent Riotta, Raoul Bova
PLOT: After her cheating husband takes the house and sues for alimony, a woman author, on the advice of her friends, takes a trip to Italy. She sees a home and decides to buy this home and fix it up  and herself as well.
QUOTE: regrets are a waste of time. They're the past crippling you in the present.
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The scenery...it is simply enchanting!
FAVOURITE SCENE: when the main character looks out from her balcony and sees an old man bring flowers to a religious statue (happens more than once in the film)
FAVOURITE CHARACTER:  Katherine (Lindsey Duncan)
TIDBITS: The man crying on the other side of the apartment wall is played by Matthew Labyorteaux who is famous for nplaying Albert on Little House On The Prairie
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Diane Lane starred with Richard Gere (The Cotton Club) who starred with William Devane (Yanks). William Devane was directed by Alfred Hitchcock (Family Plot) who directed.....Take a guess:)

Letter T

A to Z Challenge

....Rita Hayworth starred and married Orson Welles (Lady From Shangai) and he starred in...

1. THE THIRD MAN-1949-SUSPENSE

DIRECTOR: Carol Reed
STARS: Joseph Cotton, Orson Welles, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Bernard Lee
PLOT: A down on his luck author comes to Vienna at the invite of his friend only to learn that his friend had died. He meets his friend's girlfriend and finds himself knee deep in intrique and the black market.
QUOTE: In Italy, for 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed but they produced Michaelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and the Rennaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love-they had 500 years of democracy  and peace and what did that produce? The Cuckoo Clock (actually it was invented in the Black Forest but who cares..great quote!)
OSCAR NOMS: Best Director, Best Film Editing.
OSCAR WINS: Cinematography (B & W)
LOVE: The Cinematography, The location shooting and the music! (The music became a hit)
FAVOURITE SCENE: The sewer scene-all the camera angles throughout the film-brilliant!
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Harry Lime (Orson Welles)
TIDBITS: Orson was a bad boy and instead of  coming to the set to shoot the scenes in the sewers, he took off for 2 weeks in Europe. They shot around him by having a stand in for some long shots. The  fingers coming from the sewer grate is actually the director's. When Orson appeared he didn't want to go into the sewer at all so they built a set in England to film his scenes.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Joseph Cotton starred with Jack Lemmon (Airport '75) who starred with Walter Matthau (Grumpier Old Men). Walter Matthau starred with Goldie Hawn (Cactus Flower) and she starred with Kurt Russell (Swing Shift). Kurt Russell starred in....

2. TOMBSTONE-1993-WESTERN

DIRECTOR: George P Cosmatos (actually Kurt Russell). Kevin Jarre (Fired)
STARS: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmar, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Harey Carey Jnr, Dana Delaney
PLOT: The Earps come to town, meet up with Doc Holiday, clean up the town of Tombstone and have that gunfight at the OK Corral. You see Wyatt Earp continue to find the men who killed his brother.
QUOTE: Oh, Johnny, I apologize; I forgot you were there. You may go now.
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The actual correctness of some key events (others may not be as much but..it's a film) and the dialogue of Doc Holiday
FAVOURITE SCENE: When Doc Holiday meets Johnny Ringo
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Doc Holiday (Val Kilmar)
TIDBITS: Doc Holiday really was that cultured, acerbic and bad ass. The scene when Wyatt Earp just walks right into the blazing bullets and never gets hit..is true.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Harry Carey Jnr starred with John Wayne (The Searchers) and John Wayne starred with..... Happy Weekend and the final week!

Oh in case you want to listen...here is the Harry Lime Theme as it is often called

Letter S

A to Z Challenge

....Carroll O'Connor starred with John Wayne (In Harm's Way) who starred in...


1. STAGECOACH-1939-WESTERN

DIRECTOR: John Ford
STARS: John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Thomas Mitchell*, John Carradine
PLOT: An eclectic group of travellers on a stagecoach are joined by the Ringo Kid and must deal with  the Indians, the Wild West and themselves.
QUOTE: Well, there are some things a man just can't run away from.
OSCAR NOMS: Best Picture, Best Director, Cinematography, Art Direction, Film Editing
OSCAR WINS: Best Supporting Actor*, Best Score
LOVE: The action sequences (Bless the highly valued stuntman Yakima Canutt-look him up!) and the Cinematography (First time Ford used Monument Valley as his backdrop)
FAVOURITE SCENE: When they are chased by the Apaches!  Stunts are done by Yakima and no CGI!
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Dallas (Claire Trevor)
TIDBITS: Ford was known to be a bit of an SOB on the set and he verbally abused Wayne throughout this film (and all the others) to the point where many of the actors stood up for Wayne which is what Ford wanted. Wayne was the new kid on the block in an A movie and he wanted the actors to feel sympathy so this could be carried on in the film. Also Orson Welles watched this movie 40 times at least before he made Citizen Kane. He considered it required viewing.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: John Wayne was directed by Raoul Walsh (The Big Trail) and Raoul Walsh directed James Whitmore (Battle Cry). James Whitmore starred in....

2. SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION-1994-PRISON DRAMA

DIRECTOR: Frank Darabont
STARS: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman*, Bob Gunton, Clancy Brown, James Whitmore
PLOT: Innocent man is sent to a hellish prison and is befriended by Red. He becomes the accountant for the warden and the guards while he waits and hopes.
QUOTE: Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
OSCAR NOMS: Best Picture, Best Actor*, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Film Editing, Original Score.
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The plot! So many twists and turns
FAVOURITE SCENE:  When Andy defiantly plays  the record of the 2 opera singers (Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro). The 2 gals are actually scheming, writing a letter to the other's husband to catch him in infidelity.
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins)
TIDBITS:  Get this..The American Humane Association monitored the set to prevent cruelty to..the maggot! It would be too cruel to give a live maggot to the crow so they had to use a maggot that died of natural causes..i'm not kidding.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: James Whitmore starred with Ann Miller (Kiss Me, Kate) and she starred with Fred Astaire (Easter Parade) who starred with Rita Hayworth (You'll Never get Rich). She starred  with......Until Saturday....

3 posters that made men go ga-ga

Rita Hayworth

 Marilyn Monroe

Raquel Welch

Thursday Movie Picks-Astronauts

This is tough to do this plus the A to Z Challenge but here we go with this week's theme which is Astronauts. To find out what the the others have picked, head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see.  Here are my three....

1. FORBIDDEN PLANET-1956

I love this movie because it is pretty classy and has some intelligence to it. Yes, this is an early film with the great Leslie Nielsen of the Naked Gun series, who stars as the Captain of a spaceship who land on a planet and find it inhabited by just 2 people, a man and his daughter. Now this daughter is very innocent despite the very, very short skirts she wears and has no idea that her father is ready to go all creepy nuts when he sees she has feelings for the Captain (and vice versa). The crewmen start getting killed, and no, they are not wearing red shirts, so the Captain and his right hand man, the Doc, try to figure this out. This also brought Robbie the Robot to our attention.

2.  SPACE COWBOYS-2000

Now this is just goofy fun and not to be taken seriously even if there are some key issues here...namely aging and death but hey! It's still fun. These 4 were the pioneers for the Space program and they are asked to come back since there is some satellite having issues and the technology is so old that only these guys would have a clue to know how to fix it. I love the camaraderie of the 4 actors and wished that Donald Sutherland and James Garner had bigger roles. They play their parts well and it is just a nice movie.

3. THE MARTIAN-2015

I was concerned about this movie since everyone was gushing over this like they did with Gravity(Bleccchhhhh). Anyhoo, this film is excellent and I was really taken with the acting of Matt Damon who had to carry the picture and make it interesting. There were real nail biting scenes along with some very comical ones and done in such a way that it all worked and you can picture that this could actually happen. The effects are great as well as the story. You know Matt Damon's character gets stranded on Mars but then the story starts from there and is special. I would see it if I were you.

Letter R

A to Z Challenge

...Katherine Hepburn starred with Bob Hope (Iron Petticoat) and he starred in....

1. ROAD TO MOROCCO-1942-COMEDY

DIRECTOR: David Butler
STARS: Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, Anthony Quinn, Donna Drake
PLOT: 2 nuts explode the ship they are sailing on and end up drifting to Arabia where one is sold ito slavery. When the other tries to help him and finds out his friend doesn't want help since he is going to marry the beautiful princess, his friend decides to battle for her hand as well by saying he should have been the slave. She is also wanted by the bad man Quinn...the antics these 2 get into.
QUOTE: (Camel Says)-This is the screwiest picture I was ever in.
OSCAR NOMS: Original Screenplay:), Best Sound
OSCAR WINS: Best Sound
LOVE: The camaraderie of the 2 male stars and how Hope talks directly to the camera at times.
FAVOURITE SCENE: When the 2 nuts are being chased and they hide as head busts
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Turkey Jackson (Bob Hope)
TIDBITS: This is the 3rd of 7 films Hope and Crosby made. Dorothy was in 6 and sadly the executives went with Joan Collins in the last picture which wasn't very nice at all. The reason I placed a happy face by best screenplay is that the 2 often ad-libbed and Hope would talk directly to the audience.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Bing Crosby starred with Ann Margaret (Stagecoach remake) and she starred with John Wayne (The Train Robbers). John Wayne starred with Carroll O'Connor (In Harm's Way) and O'Connor starred in....

2. RETURN TO ME-2000-ROMANCE

DIRECTOR: Bonnie Hunt
STARS: David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Carroll O'Connor, Bonnie Hunt, Robert Loggia, Jim Belushi
PLOT: Happily married man loses his zoologist wife in a car accident. She is an organ donor and her heart is given to a critically ill woman who needs a new heart. A year later, their loved ones tell them they need to get out more......
QUOTE: (To character singing loudly in the kitchen)- Will you go find yourself a gondola?
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The story which is very sweet and how animals know
FAVOURITE SCENE: When Minnie Driver's character meets the gorilla
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Marty O'Reilly (Carroll O'Connor)
TIDBITS: Yippee! A female director and Bonnie Hunt is a dynamo! She directed, acted and co-wrote this film. She filmed it in Chicago where she grew up and many of her family members are used as extras in the film. This neat restaurant actually exists and is called the Twin Anchors. This was Carroll O'Connor's last film.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Carroll O'Connor starred with....wait until tomorrow

letter Q

A to Z Challenge


....Melvyn Douglas starred with Greta Garbo (Ninotchka). She starred in...

1. QUEEN CHRISTINA-1933-DRAMA

 

DIRECTOR: Rouben Mamoulian
STARS: Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Ian Keith, Lewis Stone
PLOT: Queen of Sweden needs a break so she takes off and ends up at an Inn where she is mistaken for a young man. Meets a Spanish nobleman, falls in love, but there is that nasty thing called responsibility.
QUOTE: One can feel nostalgia for places one has never seen. and.....I shall die a bachelor (Garbo did)
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The cinematography! Reminded me of old paintings in some areas
FAVOURITE SCENE: When the 2 drunks ask the young nobleman (the Queen) how many lovers the Queen had the past year
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: The Queen, Christina (Garbo)
TIDBITS: Initially Lawrence Olivier was hired for the love interest but there was not much chemistry ao she fought to have the now fallen alcoholic star, John Gilbert as her leading man and won. They had a huge affair and he helped her out when she got started but she left him at the alter.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Greta Garbo starred with Robert Taylor (Camille) who starred with Elizabeth Taylor (Ivanhoe). She starred with Richard Burton (Taming of the Shrew...and also married him-twice!) and he starred with Paul Scolfield(A Man For All Seasons). He starred with Ralph Fiennes in...

2. QUIZ SHOW-1994-DRAMA

DIRECTOR: Robert Redford
STARS: Ralph Fiennes, John Turturro, Paul Scolfield*, Rob Morrow
PLOT: True story based on the infamous games show scandals of the 1950's specifically the game show 21. The answers were given to the contestants prior to filming. This almost put the game shows out of business. Heads rolled to save the network and Geritol, the prime ad for the show who knew what was going on.
QUOTE: You know why they call them Indians? Because Columbus thought he was in India-they're "Indians" because some white guy got lost.
OSCAR NOMS: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor*, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The writing! Even though there are liberties taken(as always) it doesn't matter because the essence is the same.
FAVOURITE SCENE: When Herb Stempel has to lose a question that he knows
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Herb Stempel (John Turturro)
TIDBITS: Van Doren (played by Ralph Fiennes) has not wanted to talk about this part of his life and will give no interviews. So to get the accent down and some mannerisms, Ralph Fiennes drove by his house and saw Van Doren on his front porch. He talked to the man and told him he was lost and asked for directions.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Paul Scolfield starred with Burt Lancaster (The Train) who starred with Katherine Hepburn (The Rainmaker). She starred with.....see ya for R

Letter P

The A to Z Challenge

.....Spencer Tracy Starred with Irene Dunne( A Guy Named Joe). She starred in..

1. PENNY SERENADE-1941-ROMANCE DRAMA

DIRECTOR: George Stevens
STARS: Cary Grant*, Irene Dunne, Edgar Buchanan, Beulah Bondi
PLOT: An irresponsible man marries a nice gal and they go to live in Japan. When he loses everything, she is disgusted and then an earthquake hits injuring her so she loses her baby and can never have another. He decides to make good and they adopt a baby girl.....
QUOTE: We don't need each other any more. When that happens to 2 people, there's nothing left.
OSCAR NOMS: Best Actor*
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The great acting! You fall for the characters.
FAVOURITE SCENE: When the couple have to change a diaper
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Applejack Carny (Edgar Buchanan)
TIDBITS: This was Irene Dunne's favourite film of hers. Also the Earthquake was real enough since this was filmed in April and Dec of that year a major Earthquake hit a part of Taiwan that was a Japanese Colony killing over 300.
6 DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Cary Grant starred with Katherine Hepburn(Holiday) who starred with Charles Bronson(small role in Pat and Mike). He starred with Steve McQueen(Magnificent 7) and Steve McQueen starred in....

2. PAPILLON-1973-PRISON DRAMA

DIRECTOR: Franklin J. Schaffner
STARS: Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Don Gordon, Anthony Zerbe
PLOT: Based on a true story of a man wrongly convicted and sent to a penal colony where he endures years of abuse and solitary confinement before ending up on Devil's Island. All the while he means to escape and be free (Papillon means butterfly which is tattooed on his chest)
QUOTE: A temptation resisted is a true measure of character
OSCAR NOMS: Best Score( now on the top 25 list of best film scores of the AFI)
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: the story of survival and endurance
FAVOURITE SCENE: Papillon's last meeting with his friend, Louis
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman)
TIDBITS: Steve McQueen was a bit on the weird side and full of anxieties and himself at the same time. His name had to be above Dustin Hoffman's and he had to be paid more than him. He also liked to do his own stunts so that is him jumping off that cliff ( filmed in Hawaii). He considered that a thrilling experience.
6 DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Steve McQueen starred with Paul Newman (Towering Inferno) who starred with Melvyn Douglas(Yup, him again). He starred with.....

Letter O

A to Z Challenge

...Cyd Charisse starred with Gene Kelly (Brigadoon) and Gene Kelly starred in

1. ON THE TOWN-1949-MUSICAL

DIRECTOR: Stanley Donan & Gene Kelly
STARS: Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin, Vera-Ellen, Ann Miller, Betty Garrett
PLOT: 3 Sailors, on a 24 hour leave in New York City, go on the hunt to find Ms. Turnstiles. Along the way, they meet a couple of other wacky gals.
QUOTE: (after a call comes in that a dinosaur has collapsed, the cop says)- That's terrible, she's my favourite singing star, that Dinah Shore!
OSCAR NOMS: see below
OSCAR WINS: Best Musical Score
LOVE: The Dancing! What else is new
FAVOURITE SCENE: The Prehistoric Man scene.
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Claire Huddesen(Ann Miller)
TIDBITS: Frank Sinatra was at his height of fame with all the bobby soxers. The production decided to film the opening scene on location which was a first for musicals. Not only did they have to deal with the constant rain but all the fans wanting to see Frank. At the end of the song which takes place at Rockefeller Centre, you can see all the fans at the top watching the filming. Oh, Sinatra was really , really skinny and had no ass so he had to wear a prosthetic to show a little something on the screen much to his chagrin:)
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Gene Kelly starred with Spencer Tracy(Inherit The Wind) who starred with Marlene Dietrich (Judgement at Nuremberg). She starred with John Wayne (The Spoilers) who starred with Robert Duvall (True Grit). Robert Duvall starred with Kevin Costner in...

2. OPEN RANGE-2003-WESTERN

DIRECTOR: Kevin Costner
STARS: Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Benning, Michael Jeter(his last role), Michael Gambon
PLOT: Open Rangers, who wish to live in peace, come to a small town ruled by a nasty land Baron who hates open rangers. When one of the rangers is attacked, they seek help from the Doctor but only his sister is there who helps out. Now the rangers must defend what they have.
QUOTE: It's a pretty day for making things right!
OSCAR NOMS: Nil
OSCAR WINS: Nil
LOVE: The Cinematography
FAVOURITE SCENE: When Duvall's character reveals his first name to Costner's character
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall)
TIDBITS: Anthony Hopkins loved this film so much that he atually wrote fan letter to Robert Duvall and Kevin Costner.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION:  Annette Benning starred ( and married) Warren Beatty (Bugsy), who starred with Vivien Leigh (Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone) who starred with Clark Gable (Gone With The Wind). Clark Gable starred with Spencer Tracy (Boom Town) and he starred with.....

Letter N

The A to Z Challenge

....Paul Newman Starred with Melvyn Douglas (Hud) and Melvyn Douglas starred with Greta Garbo is...

1. NINOTCHKA-1939-COMEDY

DIRECTOR: Ernst Lubitsch
STARS: Greta Garbo*, Melvyn Douglas, Ina Claire
PLOT: A Russian Emissary comes to Paris to bring back 3 naughty Russians who were originally sent to sell some jewels. She meets up with a Count who is trying to retrieve the jewels for his lover a former Russian Countess but didn't plan to fall in love...
QUOTE: The morning after always looks so grim if you happen to be wearing last night's dress.
OSCAR NOMS: Best Picture, Best Actress*, Best original Story, Best Screenplay
OSCAR WINS: Nil (was THE year of great movies)
LOVE: Love the screenplay
FAVOURITE SCENE: When Garbo's character becomes drunk from too much champagne
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Ninotchka (Garbo)
TIDBITS: Garbo was a strange gal and found the drunk scene vulgar. When the famous laugh scene was to be shot(Garbo Laughs!), she wanted everyone off the set. The director complied but Billy Wilder and Ina Claire snuck back in.
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Melvyn Douglas starred with Paul Newman(Yup going backwards a bit) who starred with George Kennedy (Cool Hand Luke). George Kennedy starred with Leslie Nielsen in...

2. THE NAKED GUN #1-COMEDY

DIRECTOR: David Zucker
STARS: Leslie Nielsen, Pricilla Pressley, George Kennedy, Ricardo Montalban
PLOT: Nincompoop Detective is hot on the trail of a bad dude who wants to assassinate the Queen of England. Along the way, the detective falls for a pretty assistant
QUOTE: It's true, what they say: cops and women don't mix. It's like eating a spoonful of drano; sure, it'll clean you out, but it'll leave you hollow inside.
OSCAR NOMS: Hahahaaaaa
OSCAR WINS: Hahhaaaaa
LOVE: Every silly joke whether shown or said.
FAVOURITE SCENE: The love scene. I crack up now every time I watch Ghost.
FAVOURITE CHARACTER: Det. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen)
TIDBITS: Re-started Leslie Nielsen's career who was making cheesy horror films. This film and the sequels all stem from a very short-lived TV show called Police Squad (which i watched and loved)
SIX DEGREES (MORE OR LESS) OF SEPARATION: Ricardo Montalban starred with Cyd Charisse (Fiesta). She starred with...See Ya Monday!